student art

In order to facilitate the placement of student art around campus, Student Senate created the Campus Art Ad-Hoc Committee during its regular meeting on Thursday, March 29.

According to the committee’s mission statement, it will be “charged with aiding the proliferation of more student art on campus, both in public places and in private living areas.”

Recent pushes for an increase in the freedom students are allowed concerning room decorations have demonstrated student interest in featuring student art while beautifying the campus.

The committee was created due to the inability of the Campus Environment Committee (CEC) to process the applications and then find and place the art as well. Many of the pieces are currently in storage in the Auxiliary Gymnasium basement and will require some sorting.

Three senators were elected to sit on the committee that will consist of multiple members from involved parties, including the Art Department. Sophomore senator Nora McGinn, Senator post-baccalaureate Tim Schmeling ‘11 and senior Senator Ian Malone were elected by the senate to serve on the committee.

Several senators were also elected fill available seats on faculty committees. Senator sophomore Phil Bennett was elected to the Broadcast, Internet and Publications Board; McGinn was elected to the Student Life Committee and Senators Araf and Noth were elected to the Honor Board Selection Committee.

Senate committees

Finance — The women’s lacrosse team was granted $2,080 for transportation to games in Chicago and Augustana College. The Oriental Hipsters’ request for $528 to fund a Mother’s Day belly dancing workshop and world dance performance was also approved. The Islamic Club’s request for $310 to attend a discussion on the Arab Spring was the final request approved.

SMURF — Senate approved $900 to fund a pilot trial for the digital signage project. Technology chair junior JC Weinberg reported that the new signage will be ordered this term and will undergo a trial run this summer.

Sustainability — Chair sophomore Max Potthoff requested $1,840 to hire a student to oversee and maintain the garden during the summer. Senate voted in favor of the request. Potthoff also reported that the Green Fee currently holds approximately $14,000.

Dining Services — Ketchup packets in the Gizmo will be replaced by squeeze bottles in an effort to reduce waste. There is still some concern surrounding a potential increase in the use of the paper cups provided to hold sauces.

The Gizmo menu will be renovated to feature all available items in hopes that students will order the previously hidden items more frequently.

ResQual — Several senators also brought up the recent increase of fire alarms in the quads. The high number of alarms has been attributed to electrical errors present in many smoke detectors that are in the process of replacement. Senators also discussed the slow campus security reaction times, as well as a fear that false alarms will result in students ignoring justified alarms.

Safety and Services — Chair Paul Brar reported that school wide STD testing will not occur under Senate’s sponsorship, as the administration has expressed interest in taking the initiative. Brar expressed interest in co-sponsoring the event with the college.

Technology — Weinberg reported that there will be a new calendar function on the registrar’s site that will compile the events of all groups on campus. The committee hopes that it will reduce the number of mass emails students receive on a daily basis.

Faculty committees

Instructional Support — There is currently a competition underway in upper-level computer science classes to design a new course schedule on the registrar website that will make it easier for students to track their completion of requirements.

The committee also discussed potential ways to increase the amount of late night study spaces on campus. Current plans are to develop a system where the library remains open later, while

CEC — Associate Dean of Campus Life Craig Southern will soon approach Senate with a proposal for digital signage. Due to some concerns that digital signage will change the feel of campus, the CEC will be responsible for approving the placement of the signs.

Julian Boireau is a senior majoring in international relations and minoring in French. This is his fourth year working for TKS, having served as co-news editor during his sophomore and junior years. He has been involved in journalism for seven years, serving as opinions editor of the newspaper and editor-in-chief of the literary magazine at Palisades Charter High School in Los Angeles, California. In September 2012, Julian received press credentials to attend the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, where he reported on remarks by President Barack Obama and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. He is also the recipient of back-to-back first place awards from the Illinois College Press Association for front page layout.